Saariselkä: Northern Lights & Reindeer Sledding Tour

The forest gets quiet, then the reindeer move. This Saariselkä evening pairs a gentle sleigh ride through snowy woods with a campfire, hot drink, and a chance to see the Aurora Borealis. I like the peaceful pace and the chance to feed the reindeer, two details that make this feel more personal than a simple photo stop. The main catch is that the Northern Lights are never guaranteed, and one recent experience had less sleigh time than expected.

The tour costs $222 per person and lasts 2.5 hours, including a short transfer from the Lapponia Tours safari house. I also like that thermal clothing is provided, since a still evening in the forest can feel much colder than a walk around Saariselkä. Guides such as Eemeli, Nilla, Ansee, and Visa have added local stories, humor, and practical help to the outing.

Key points at a glance

• A traditional reindeer ride: Sit back in a sleigh while a reindeer leads you through the quiet forest.
• A real pause by the fire: Stop for a hot drink, biscuits or local snacks, and stories about Lapland.
• Hands-on animal time: You can feed the reindeer and spend time near them before or after the ride.
• Aurora potential, not an Aurora promise: The dark forest gives you a good setting, but cloud and solar conditions decide what you see.
• Warm clothing is supplied: Still bring comfortable shoes and warm layers for the coldest part of the evening.
• A short, easy format: The activity suits visitors who want a calm evening experience rather than a demanding winter excursion.

Meeting the reindeer at Honkapolku 1

You begin at the Lapponia Tours safari house at Honkapolku 1, a gray building with a tower roof. This is an important detail in Saariselkä, where several winter activities leave from similar-looking places. Allow yourself enough time to find the building without rushing into the evening.

From there, the group takes a transfer of about 15 minutes to Joikun Kotakahvio and the reindeer farm. The short drive keeps the outing simple. You are not spending a large part of the evening on a coach, yet you still get away from the resort area and into darker woodland.

The transfer is not included if you are staying in Kiilopää, Kakslauttanen, Muotka, Inari, or the Ivalo area. You must arrange your own way to Saariselkä. Check this before booking, because the tour starts from Saariselkä rather than collecting from every nearby resort.

The sleigh ride through the dark forest

At the farm, you receive thermal clothing and prepare for the ride. Wear comfortable shoes and warm layers even if you use the supplied gear. In winter, your feet can become cold while sitting still, and a sleigh ride is far less active than a snowmobile tour or a walk.

The sleigh is pulled by a reindeer along a forest route. You sit back and let the animal set the pace, which is the heart of the experience. This is not a fast thrill ride. It is quiet, slow, and made for looking up at the trees and the night sky.

That gentle pace suits anyone who wants to experience Lapland without noise or physical effort. I would choose it for a calm family evening, a couple wanting a memorable outing, or anyone curious about reindeer culture. If you need constant action, speed, or a packed schedule, the ride may feel too subdued.

The woodland setting gives the ride its appeal. You move away from streetlights and resort traffic, and the darkness becomes part of the event. Several guides have made the ride more engaging by talking about Finnish life, reindeer, and local traditions. Eemeli was praised for mixing information with humor, while Visa has been noted for his stories and friendly help with photos.

One useful point is timing. The full activity is advertised as 2.5 hours, but the time is shared between transfers, preparation, the sleigh ride, the fire, and time with the animals. One account found the campfire lasted longer than expected and the sleigh ride felt shorter than expected. If the ride itself is your main reason for booking, keep that in mind.

Feeding the reindeer and learning their habits

The stop with the animals adds something that a simple sleigh excursion would miss. You can feed the friendly reindeer and spend time seeing them at close range. The guides explain how the animals work and live in Lapland, giving you a better sense of the care behind the ride.

This is also where the activity connects with Sámi tradition. Reindeer sleigh driving is presented as part of the traditional life of the Sámi, the only Indigenous people in Europe. The tour gives you an introduction rather than a full cultural course, but the connection helps place the ride in its local setting.

The reindeer are not treated as scenery. Several accounts describe them as well cared for, with their own personalities. That matters if you are choosing between a quick animal encounter and an outing built around respectful contact with reindeer.

You may also get help taking pictures near the animals. Nilla was especially praised for helping with photographs and sharing information about reindeer. Bring your camera if you like, but follow the strict light rules. Flash photography is forbidden because sudden flashes can frighten reindeer and create a safety problem.

The same rule applies to flashlight use. If you ignore it, the guide can take away your camera or phone until the end of the tour. It sounds strict, but a dark animal enclosure and sudden bright light are a poor combination. Keep your phone on a low-light setting and let the guide tell you when photography is appropriate.

A campfire, hot drink, and stories in the woods

The campfire stop is more than a quick refreshment break. You sit in the forest, warm up with a hot drink, and have time to look around without the sleigh moving. Tea, coffee, hot fruit juice, biscuits, and local snacks have been served during the stop, depending on the outing.

This pause is often the social center of the evening. Guides have talked about reindeer work, Finnish life, and the surrounding area. Visa has even carved a small wooden figure from a stick while telling stories. Another guide, Julie’s guide, turned the stop into a lively session of fairy tales, facts, singing, and dancing.

The tone can vary with the guide and the group. That is a strength for people who enjoy a little personality rather than a formal lecture. It may be less appealing if you want a quiet ride with very little conversation. The guide is responsible for the fire and refreshments, so the campfire can take longer than planned.

You should also expect the evening to feel cold here. Sitting beside a fire helps, but it does not replace proper clothing. The supplied thermal gear and blankets have been useful on cold nights, but wear your own warm base layers and proper footwear too.

How realistic is the Northern Lights chance?

The Aurora Borealis is the tempting extra, not the main product. The tour takes place after dark in a forest setting, so you have a better chance of seeing the sky than you would under bright resort lights. Still, no guide can control cloud cover or Aurora activity.

Some outings have ended with striking displays above the sleigh. On one evening, the lights appeared on the way back, turning the return ride into the highlight. Other outings had no Aurora at all and were still enjoyable because of the forest, animals, fire, and guide.

I would book this for the reindeer experience first and treat the lights as a bonus. If seeing the Aurora is your only goal, a tour built specifically around weather forecasts and flexible viewing locations may suit you better. Here, the reindeer schedule remains the center of the evening.

The dark setting also creates a practical photography challenge. Flash is not allowed, and phone cameras may struggle in the forest. You will get better results by keeping the camera steady, using night mode when available, and listening to the guide about when to take pictures.

Guides who shape the evening

The guide can make a large difference on a short tour. Eemeli has been praised for being warm and funny, while Ansee was described as organized, helpful, and generous with information about Finnish life. Nilla has helped with reindeer photos, and Visa has combined reindeer knowledge with humor, stories, and crafts.

That range gives you an idea of the activity’s character. It is not only a ride from point A to point B. The guide starts the fire, explains the animals, manages the group, and sets the mood during the stop.

The tradeoff is that one guide may handle many tasks at once. On one evening, the service felt a little rushed because the guide was doing everything himself. That does not make the excursion poor, but it explains why the campfire and ride balance may vary.

The activity offers guiding in English and Finnish. That makes it practical for international visitors, and the guide’s personal stories seem to be an important part of the evening’s appeal.

Is $222 a fair price?

At $222 per person, this is not a cheap short outing. The value depends on what you want included in a Lapland evening.

The price covers thermal clothing, English or Finnish guiding, the reindeer sleigh ride, the campfire drink, the chance to feed the animals, and the possibility of seeing the Aurora. It also includes the short transfer from the Saariselkä meeting point to the farm. You are paying for a complete winter activity, not just a few minutes on a sleigh.

I think the price is easier to justify if you value the cultural setting, the guide, the fire, and the close contact with the reindeer. It is harder to justify if you expect a long sleigh journey or a guaranteed light show. The excursion is best viewed as a polished evening experience with several parts, not as a dedicated Northern Lights hunt.

Because thermal clothing is included, you may not need to rent as much winter equipment separately. That adds practical value, especially for visitors who arrive without a full Arctic wardrobe. You still need warm layers and shoes, and the equipment does not remove the need to dress sensibly.

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your winter plans are still shifting.

Who should book this Saariselkä evening?

I would recommend it to adults, families with children aged seven and older, and couples looking for a gentle winter memory. It works especially well if you want a mix of nature, animals, local stories, and a warm drink rather than a high-speed adventure.

It also suits first-time Lapland visitors who want to try reindeer sleigh driving without committing to a full-day program. The 2.5-hour format leaves room for other activities, though the cold and evening timing can be tiring for young children.

Children under seven are not considered suitable for this activity, and pregnant women should not book it. The experience is wheelchair accessible, though the sleigh and forest conditions may still be worth discussing with the operator before you go.

You should skip it if you dislike cold weather, animal contact, campfire smoke, or slow rides. You should also look elsewhere if the Aurora is the only thing you care about. The lights may appear, but the reindeer and forest are the reliable parts.

Practical tips for a better ride

• Arrive at the gray Lapponia Tours building with the tower roof at Honkapolku 1.
• Wear warm layers even though thermal clothing is supplied.
• Choose comfortable shoes with enough insulation for sitting outdoors.
• Keep flash photography, flashlights, smoking, alcohol, and drugs out of the activity.
• Bring a camera, but use low-light settings and follow the guide’s instructions.
• Expect the campfire portion to take a meaningful share of the evening.
• Arrange your own transport if you are staying outside Saariselkä.
• Treat the Aurora as a lucky extra, not a promise.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want the quiet side of Lapland: a slow sleigh, well cared for reindeer, a fire in the forest, and a guide who can turn a cold evening into a good story. The strongest parts are the peaceful ride, the chance to feed the animals, and the personal touch added by guides such as Eemeli, Nilla, Ansee, and Visa.

Think twice if you are paying $222 mainly for a long sleigh ride or guaranteed Northern Lights. The ride may feel shorter than expected, and the fire can take more time than planned. For the right guest, though, the blend of reindeer tradition, simple refreshments, and dark woodland makes this a memorable Saariselkä night even when the sky stays cloudy.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is the Lapponia Tours safari house at Honkapolku 1. It is described as a gray building with a tower roof.

How long does the activity last?

The advertised duration is 2.5 hours. The itinerary also includes transfers of about 15 minutes each way between the meeting point and the reindeer farm.

Is transport from other Lapland areas included?

No. Transport is not included from Kiilopää, Kakslauttanen, Muotka, Inari, or the Ivalo area. You must arrange your own transfer to Saariselkä.

Are Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The Aurora Borealis depends on conditions and cannot be guaranteed. You are guaranteed the reindeer safari, campfire stop, and other planned parts of the activity.

What is included in the price?

The price includes thermal clothing, an English or Finnish guide, the reindeer sleigh ride, a hot drink by the campfire, and the opportunity to feed the reindeer.

What should you bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and warm clothing. Dressing in layers is recommended, even when thermal clothing is provided.

Can children join the tour?

Children under seven are not considered suitable for the activity. The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, and the activity is not suitable for pregnant women.